Cultures connect in Salinas

Josselyn Melanie Cuauhyolotzin smiles as she goes through the Aztec ritual of 'xilonen' marking her transition from childhood to maidenhood. This ritual, organizers say, is the spiritual basis in Mexican tradition for the 'quinceañera.' On either side of Cuauhyolotzin, center, are Zihuatlyaocuicatl, left, and Cuauhxihuitl, right, teachers who administered much of the ritual.